Located conveniently at 108 E. German St. in downtown Shepherdstown, Maria’s Taqueria offers patrons a tasty mix of style, affordability, and of course, food.

Combining a flair for sugar skulls, clean lines and hipster-chic décor, Maria’s is one of the hottest spots on German Street for locals, visitors, and students alike. And it was a Shepherd University graduate, Maria Allen (hence the name), who saw a Latin food restaurant in Shepherdstown as the solution to two very pressing needs.

“I am originally from Northern Virginia, where Latin food is abundant,” she explains. “I moved here and immediately missed that part of home. I couldn’t imagine a ‘college town’ without at least tacos and burritos.”

That was need number one. When Maria graduated from Shepherd into a jobless market one month after the market collapsed, she quickly realized need number two. “In an effort to provide myself with a job, I started looking at what I thought Shepherdstown needed. I’d worked in restaurants during school, and to me, the answer was clear.”

Maria opened the Taqueria at its first location (just up the street from its current address) during the downturn, so she had to remain “recession-friendly” while not sacrificing quality. “Our purpose was to provide the freshest food in meal size/quantities as quickly as possible—so that people could get back to work to make ends meet,” she remembers. “It’s against the rules in terms of restaurant success, but it has worked for us because I think people were thankful for a hot, quick meal that didn’t gouge their wallets.”

The restaurant became a popular spot in town rather quickly, and Maria’s purpose has evolved accordingly. “The thing that I find myself most proud of, and the thing that drives me to continue to grow and adapt, is the ability to provide jobs locally for people who may have found themselves in the same position I once found myself. In the old location, we had between five and seven employees. We’ve now grown to many more.”

As mentioned, the new space not only continues the affordable, swift-food theme developed at the onset by Maria’s, but it boasts much more space for customers to have a seat and enjoy the near-endless menu.

From tacos to burritos to carnitas to an ever-changing selection of employee-created favorites (and yes, chips of all form and function, salsa, house-made pico de gallo, queso sauce and cheese, guacamole, and even the special sauce), diners discover pretty much upon arriving at the counter that, whatever they want, Maria’s Taqueria has it on the menu, or they can make it—including vegetarian and vegan options.

“From the menu to the customer base to the opportunity to allow my employees to grow as professionals, it’s been so refreshing for me to be able to have the space to grow in general,” Maria says.

As far as the day-to-day at Maria’s Taqueria goes, it’s pretty much business as usual. “We get our produce delivered fresh every morning,” she affirms. “We cook over four hundred pounds of food every day, and we send it out the door as quick as we can cook it. I think the fact that we can’t help but keep everything fresh has been a real attribute.”

As for the future, the Taqueria has allowed Maria a chance to catch her breath and take success as it comes. “A few years ago, I didn’t think our recent move was even possible. I’m satisfied and thankful to be where we are right now, and glad I can now provide seating and beer/wine. I have no idea what the future holds, but I’m happy to be where we are, and so thankful for the support this town has given us.”